Combination harvester-thresher



Dec. 7, 1943. N. R. KRAuuea 2,336,263

I COMBINATION HARVESTER-THRESHER Filed May 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Norman P. hrause ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1943. N. R. KRAUSE COMBLNATION HARVESTER-THRESHER Filed May 6, 1940 5 Sheefs-Sheet 2 SWWQEW ATTOR Dec. 7, 1943. N. R. KRAUSE COMBINATION HARVESTER- THRESHER Filed May 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 8 S u m M W M 5 m E $0 W n n a A NB Lwf rll l|l Dec. 7, 1943. N. R. KRAUSE I COMBINATION HARVES'IER-THRESHER 5 Sheets- Sheet 4 Filed May 6, 1940 A /Qrman R Km use W QTZM Patented Dec. 7, 1943 COMBINATION HARVESTER-THRESHER Norman R. KrausaRacine, Wis., asslgnor to J. 1. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation Application May 6,1940, Serial No. 333,489 I I 7 Claims. (Cl. 56 122) The present invention relates to combination harvester threshers or combines and an object thereof is to generally improve the construction and operation of machines of this class. A

further object is to improve the general construction and organization of such a machine, and

further objects are to provide more rugged, rigid and stable framing for such machines and improved support for the grain bin.

More particularly an object of the invention is to provide for improved support for the harvester portion, improved mechanism for controlling the increasing safety. A further object is to provide for resilience or cushioning in the supporting means for the combine.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view taken from above, to the right and slightly to the rear ofan illustrative machine with parts removed and others broken away to more clearly showthe harvester suspension, counterbalancing and adjusting means.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine taken from ahead, above and to the left, the harvester portion, the enclosing panels and the threshing mechanism being removed for more clearly showing the major frame elements.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the axle, partly in vertical axial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same, taken from the left'of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of certain mechanism indicated in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of certain mechanism indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is .an elevation partlv in vertical ax al section of harvester counterbalancing and elevating mechanism indicated in Fig. 11.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail of a portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an elevation of a portion of Fig. 11 with parts broken away showing a cylinder shaft bearing and mounting. a I I Fig. 11 is a plan view of the framing of the machine with the thresher housing broken away and other parts removed and/or broken away to indicate the general or foundation framing of the machine. p 3

As seen in Fig. 11 the machine comprises a generally rectangular frame I connected as by channel members 2 and 3 with a tubular or other suitable axle 4 extending transversely of the frame and carried by a stubble wheel 5 and a grain wheel 6 of any well-known or suitable construction, the details of which form no part of the present invention. A draw bar generally designated as 1 includes converging members 8 and 9 which may conveniently although not necessarily carry a deck in. Members 8 and 9 may converge and terminate in an eye 90. or other suitable element for connection with a drawing closed by a cross member M, the frame being generally designated as l5, At the corners of frame l5 column members l6, l1, l8 and I9 respectively, for carrying a grain bin are fixed. as will appear hereinafter. Frame suitable manner as by an angle iron 20 at the rear and a member'2l at the front of frame l5.

With the structure so far described, it will be apparent that, with drawbar I connected to a tractor drawbar 22 or other stable propelling element, frame I, due to its connection with frame I5 and draw bar 1 will be transported on axle 4 in a stable manner without the requirement of more than the two wheels, 5 and 6. Frame I5 also has a diagonal strut or brace 23 extending to one of the sills 24 of frame I and connected also with a cross member 25 extending to and connected with the other sill '26 of frame I. Cross member. 25 extends past sill 26 and connects with a brace 21 interposed between hanging end of frame I relatively to axle 4 and draw bar I. In fact brace 23 and strut 28, to-

l5 encloses stubble wheel 5 and is connected ;to frame I in a gether with cross member 25 provide a bracing system adapted for transmitting stresses set up by grain wheel 6 around the back of the machine to the drawbar, without imposing such stresses on the separator housing. A diagonal brace 30a. extends from cross member l3 and connects with axle 4 approximately at its point of connection with sill 26 as will more fully appear below, and a diagonal brace 3% extends from approximately the point of connection between sill 24 and axle 4 to an intermediate point on brace 30a.

A harvester portion in the present instance, although not necessarily, in the form of a trough and generally designated as'3|, is disposed in advance of axle portion 4a and carried in a manner to be vertically movable "relatively to the axle and frame I. This is accomplished by swinging the entire header structure together with a feeder housing portion 32 about aligned pivots 33 and 34 carried .by sills 24 and 26 and a pivot 35 substantially aligned with above mentioned pivots 33 and 34 and supported from axle portion 4a. Conveniently, although not necessarily, an arm 36, being a part of above mentioned plate 38, extends from axle portion 4a to support pivot '35. A rigid member or arm 31 extends forwardly and downwardly from pivot 35 and engages with the lower portion of harvester 3| as at 38, Fig. 8, the arm 31 constituting a rigid rearward extension of harvester portion 3|. A brace39 extends from arm 31 to a fitting 40 fixed to an upper portion of harvester 3 brace 39 being adjustable in length, ifv desired, as for example by means of lock nuts 4| and 42. By this means the relatively flexible harvester portion may be adjusted to a desired attitude in relation to arm 31. A brace 43, Figs. 1 and 11, extends from arm 31 to a point 44 on the upper part of harvester 3| in the neighborhood of feeder housing 32. A brace 45 extends from arm 31 to the neighborhood of the outer extremity or grain end of harvester 3|, brace 45 being also connected near the uppermost portion of harvester 3| as clearly apparent from Fig. 1. Both braces 43 and 45 are adjustable in length relatively to arm 31 as by nuts 46 and 41. In this manner a very rigid and stable connection to pivot 35 and accordingly to axle portion 4a. isobtained so that the duty of preventing lateral displacement of harvester 3| under the shaking movement of the combine will not fall entirely upon the feeder housing 32. A brace 48 also extends from arm 31 to thelowermost portion of harvester 3| near or spaced inwardly somewhat from the grain end of the harvester as clearly seen in' Fig. 1'. Brace 48 is adjustable relatively to arm 31 as by a nut 49, this brace being readily adjusted to compensate for the natural tendency toward sagging of the grain end or outer end of the harvester, it being possible to so adjust brace 48 that no sagging will take place.

It should be noted that, in the case of a trough type of harvester portion there is a certain inherent stifiness due to the semi-tubular configuratori of the trough, but, unlike a complete tube, the trough has no particularly strong resistance to torsional distortion. Consequently any sagging of the cutter bar C of harvester portion 3| would have to be accompanied by a twisting of the trough, and conversely tw sting of the trough can be utilized for raising or lowering one end ofthe cutter bar relatively to the other.

Such twisting of the trough is easily effected byof harvester 3|.

It will now be apparent that harvester 3|, feeder housing 32 and arm 31 constitute a substantially rigid unitary assembly which may be swung up and down about pivots 33, 34 and 35.

'Means is provided for so swinging the harvester assembly and for partially supporting the weight 'fixed therewith as for exampleby welding, and

compression links Hand 54 are pivoted respectively with arms 5| and 52 as for example by pins 55 and-56. Links 53 and 54 extend forwardly from pivots 55 and 56 and are pivoted respectively at 51 and 58 with the lower portion Rotation of sleeve 50 in a direction tending to move links 53 and 54 forwardly will therefore exert a lifting force on harvester 3| and furthermore the spaced connections'or pivots 51 and 58 will tend to transmit any twisting of header 3|, as by relative forward or rearward movement of one of links 53 and 54 to sleeve 50, which movement will be strongly resisted by the torsional strength of sleeve 50. Links 53 and 54 are adjustable in length by any suitable means as will later appear, so that the desired relation between sleeve 50 and the spaced points 51 and 58 may be readily obtained forexerting thedesired effect on harvester 3| in cooperation with braces 45 and 48. Control of the rotation of sleeve 50 will accordingly effect desired advjustment of harvester 3|, and adjustment of elements 53, 54, 43, 45 and 48 will position cutter bar 0 as desired and relieve feeder housing 32 of the stresses which would otherwise be imposed upon it by the harvester portion.

The weight of harvester 3| is in eifect carried on links 53 and 54 and this is partially counterbalanced -by a spring unit or other suitable means generally designated as 6|, having a pull rod 52 pivotally engaged at 63 with an arm 54 extending upwardly from sleeve 50. The end of unit 6| opposite pull rod 62 is anchored to members 25 and 21 of the combine, the frame being strengthened at this point by sections 65 and 66, Fig. 11, to withstand the very considerable pull of unit 6|. The backward pull or pull rod 62 will cause a forward thrust on links 53 and 54 which thrust may be so chosen as to partially balance the backward thrust on these links due to the weight of harvester 3 I.

Adjusting mechanism generally designated as 81 is engaged with downwardly extending arm 52,;Fig. 8, as by pin 55, although within the contemplation of the invention member 51 may be engaged with a separate pin not shown, if desired. Member 61 is arranged to be movable preferably by power and is anchored to member 21 and cross member 25 as will appear. Forward movement" f member 61 will accordingly cause forward m vement of arms 52 and 5| with corresponding rotation of sleeve 50, thus causing through links 53 and- 54 upward movement of harvester 3| about pivots 33, 34 and 35. The thrust necessary in member 51 is reduced in accordance with the pull exerted on rod 52 by counterbalancing member 6| as seen in Fig. 8. Member 81 is slotted as at 81a where it engages pin 59. Normally pin 98 remains solidly in the rear end of the slot, but in the event of the harvester's striking an obstruction the harvester may rise with consequent forward movement of links 59 and 54, counterclockwise movementof sleeve 50, and forward movement of pin 58 in frame portion I as seen in Fig. 2.. Column members I0, ll, I8 and I9 extend upwardly to approximately the level of the upper frame members 89 and 110 of the thresher housing where members I9 and I! are connected by a longitudinal strut II and members It and I9 are joined by a strut I2, struts II and I2 being connected at their forward ends by a brace I9 and the rear ends bya brace I4, thus building up a box-like framework about stubble wheel I5 andincluding as a part thereof previously mentioned members II and I2 directly connected with or forming a part of drawbar I, it being understood that these braces, struts, etc., are connected at their junction points by any suitable or well-known means forming no part of the present invention. Extending upwardly from strut 'II are members I6 and I9 and similarly extending upwardly from strut I2 are members I1 and I8 engaged with suitable portions of grain bin I9 which may be of any suitablejor well-known type forming no part of the present invention.

Member I2 is fixed with axle 4 as by means of a flange 80 and member II is connected in the present instance with a stub axle lI' carried by wheel 5, as by means of a bracket oradapter plate 02 Through their connection with columns I6, I'I, etc., members II and I2 accordingly carry the weight of grain bin 19 substantially directly on wheel 5 without imposing any of said weight on the separator housing. However, there remain side sway and fore and aft oscillation to be counteracted. Fore and aft oscillation istransmitted directly to the draw bar through a brace 09 extended in the present instance from strut I2 diagonally downward to member 9. Side sway of the bin is effectively prevented by a' brace 84 extending from members II and I'Iacro'ss the thresher housing and bending downward as at 85 to connect with abovementioned' plate .30 which as above noted is fixed with axle portion 4a adjacent grain wheel 9. Any stresses set up by side sway of grain bin I9 ar accordingly transmitted'across-to the axle at the front of thresher housing I and support an engine carrying frame generally designated as 90 comprising a rear member 9|, side members 92 and 93, and a front member 94. Member 9I is carried on and fixed to the above mentioned members 69 and I0, while member 90 is supported on columns 95 and 96, in the present instance joined with sills 26 and 24 respectively. Member 94 extends across the front of the machine and is connected with above mentioned column members I1 and I9 whereby to steady the engine carrying frame and prevent lateral weav= ing thereof.

Above mentioned brace 83 has a strut 91 ex tending from member I3 and engaging member 83 approximately midway of the length thereof. This helps to steady member 93 and assist-it to withstand compressive stresses. To prevent torsional weaving of the box structure, comprising members I8, I'I, I8, I9, II, I2, I3 and I4, etc., diagonal braces 98 and 99 extend from approximately the mid point of member II to opposite ends of strut II, while other diagonal braces I00 and IIII extend from approximately the midpoint of strut I2 to the ends of member I2.

This completes the general description. of the major characteristic features of the machine as a whole, and attention is accordingly directed to certain units and assemblies constituting subcombinations of the general structure.

Axle 4'as seen in Fig. 3, comprises a plurality of sections some of which have been already mentioned, namely 4, 4a and stub axle 8|. A second stub axle I02 is carried on a web I03 fixed in any suitable manner with a sleeve I04 which is in turn fixed with above mentioned plate 36. In the present instance sleeve I04 has a sliding fit on axle section 4a and is retained thereon as by a bolt I05-passing through sleeve I04 and the extremity of axle 4a. Axle portion 4a may conveniently comprise a substantially straight tubular member having a flange I06 engaged with a flange I07 onaxle portion 4 to form a rigid unitary member. Bolts as I08 and I09 secure the flanges solidly together, and one or more of such bolts may engage the plate IIO to which is secured above mentioned brace 21 and tie rod as by a bolt III. For transportation of the machine substantial distances, or for other reasons which may make it desirable, the machine and are resisted by brace 04' without tending'to distort-thresher housing I.- In fact brace '94 is eifective enough in this respect that frame meme bers 69 and" of hous'in'g'I may be connected if desired with brace member 84 as by straps 96 andBI-bolted or otherwise suitably fixed with brace 84 to assist in preventing any weaving or distortion of the'thresher housing'due to'fo'rces arising within itself.

In order toiprevent upward rbuckling of brace 94 under compressive stresses, a.-tie rod 00 isextended from approximately point 05 to axle 4 as will furtherappearand to further brace the structure and prevent distortion of the frame may be narrowed by removing axle section 4a at flange I 01, of course removing otherparts connected with section 4a. Plate 30 including web I03 and stub axle I02, are removed from axle v 9 section 4a andplate is secured against flange I01, as suggested in dotted lines, which will bring a the overall width of the machine down to less than half of what it is in condition for operation.

Sleeve 50, as above described, is journaled .on v section 4a and arms SI and 52 are suitably fixed thereto as by welding or other suitable expedients. I Arm 52 may be bifurcated to obtain better support for pin 56, element 01 being engaged within the bifurcated portion of arm 52, as shown.

Section 4has'above mentioned channel mem'f bers land 3 constituting anchor plates welded or otherwise securely fixed thereto and to which above mentioned sills 24 and 26 are secured, as by bolts or thelike IIZ andv I I9, together with other elements of the structure not necessary to desscribe as they form no part of the present invention. Section 4 as above described has a flange 80 to which is fixed as by bolts H4 and H a flange II6 carryin', a sleeve II1 which in turn carries a web II8 fixed with above menti'oned stub axle 8I. Flange 80 is also fixed with above mentioned member I2 as by a bolt IIS.

When axle 4 is in position in the machine, it is rigidly held by anchor plates 2 and 3 and other connections against; rotation and its position is so chosen that webs I03 and III! are inclined backwardly as indicated in Fig. 4. A turning moment is accordingly set up in the axle by the upward reaction of wheel 6 on stub axle I02,

particularly in section 4a. The latter will tend to yield slightly under the resulting torsional stress and provide a cushioning support for the apparatus. This is particularly important when the machine is carried on metal wheels and it reduces the resulting shock loads throughout the structure appreciably.

Counterbalancing unit 6| is of an enclosed type and comprises essentially an adjusting rod I20 which may be threaded throughout its length and anchored in a bracketgenerally designated as I20a fixed to above mentioned brace 21 and other structure of the combine as will presently appear. Adjusting rod I20 carries a nut I2I in the present instance fixed with the rod and bearing against bracket I200. and by means of which the rod may be turned for adjusting the counterbalancing unit relatively to the bracket. Also on adjusting rod I20 is a nut I22 engaged against a spider I23 which in turn bears against a head I24 clamped there against as by screws I25I25.

Springs as I26I26 are engaged with spider I23 and extend to another spider I21 disposed on pull rod 62, spider I21 being clamped against a head I28 between nuts I29 and I 30. To prevent relative rotation of spider I21 and head I28, screws as I3I may be engaged between the spider and head as shown. A tubular housing member I32 extends from above mentioned head I24, fixed therewith in any suitable manner as by screws,

- rivets, or the like I33--I33, anda complementary tubular housing member I34 extends from head I28, being fixed therewith in any suitable manner as by screws or the like I35--I35. Housing members I32 and I34 are engaged in freely telescoping relation with each other, and slide easily to accommodate the stretching and retracting of springs I26 with the rocking of arm 64. The powerful springs I26 are protected from the weather and other destructive influences by housing members I34 and I32 and conversely the operator of the machine is protected from flying parts in the event of possible breakage of one of the springs.

Adjusting element 61 in the present instance is of telescoping screw typel A reversing gear generally designated as,I36 is mounted on trunnions as I31, Fig. 7, carried in bracket I20a or otherwise journaled on the structure and has a driven shaft I38 which is threaded at I39. Shaft I38 extends within a tubular element I40 and the threaded section is engaged with a nut I4I secured within tube I40 as by screws I4'2-I42. A bushing I 43 is secured within tube I4'0 adjacent nut I4I and a second bushing I44 is secured within tube I40 spaced from nut I4I, the spaced bearing of bushings I43 and I44 on shaft I38 giving stability to the connection between the shaft and tube'so that a substantially rigid telescoping unit is provided which can develop substantial expansive thrust without buckling. Tube I40 has a fitting I45 secured therein as by an eyebolt I46, fitting I45 providing above mentioned slot 61a.

A tubular housing element I41 extends from reverser I36 and enclose a portion of tube I40 to enclose shaft I38 and exclude dirt from reverser I36 and bushing I44. It will now be apparent that rotation of SLaft I38 in one direction will cause expansion of member 81 and counter-- clockwise rocking Of sleeve 50, assisted by the contractile force of springs I26-I26, while rotation of shaft I38 in the opposite direction will cause contraction of element 61 and opposite rotation of sleeve with corresponding expansion of springs I26--I26. Suitable mechanism generally designated as I48 is provided for automatically limiting the movement of element 61, the operation of which will be clear from the following description.

As seen in Fig. 9, reverser I36 is enclosed in a housing I49 through which extends above mentioned shaft I38. Shaft I 38. is journaled in bearing portions I50 and I5I and has journaled thereon within housing I 49 bevel gears I 52 and I53, driven in opposite directions from a bevel gear I54 fixed with a shaft I55 (Fig. '7) journaled in a trunnion or bearing portion I56 also carried by housing I49. Gears I52 and I53 are provided with clutch jaws I51 and I58 respectively, and a clutch element I59 slidably keyed to shaft I38 between gears I52 and I53 has clutch jaws I60 and I6I engageable alternatively with jaws I51 and I58, whereupon shaft I38 may be driven in either direction as required for extending or retracting member 61 as above described. Clutch I59 has a groove or similar means I62 engaged by a shipper I63 fixed as by means of a pin I64 with a rod I65 slidable in casing I49. Sliding of the rod will shift clutch element I59 into engagement with either gear, depending upon the direction of movement of the rod. Detent means of suitable type generally designated as I650 may be provided for maintaining rod I65 and clutch I59 in desired positions.

Appreclable thrust may be developed in shaft I38 and to accommodate this a thrust bearing or plate I66 is keyed or otherwise secured on shaft 38 in the present instance within a recess I61 in housing I49. Plate I66 is maintained within recess I61 as by cover plate I68 bolted or otherwise securely fixed in place over the recess. Plate I66 rotates when in operation in'contact with either housing I49 or cover plate I 68 according as the thrust is in the direction to the right or left as seen in Fig. 9. Plate I66 may for convenience be retained on shaft I38 as between a shoulder I69 and a nut I10, cover plate I68 having a shielding portion I'II enclosing nut I10. Shaft I38 continues beyond'nut I10 and has a nut or other polygonal or non-circular portion I12 for engagement of a wrench or the like by which shaft I38 may be rotated at such times as poweris not available on the combine.

The upper portion of housing I49 is closed by a cover plate I13 suitably held in place by wellknown means and havin a filler neck I14 closed by a cap or the like I15. Through neck I14 a quantity of lubricant may be introduced into housing I49 for oil bath operation of the mechanism within the housing. Shaft I55, Fig. '7, may

carry sprocket I16 or other driving means actuated from any convenient power source on the combine, forming no part'of the present invention. Such power sources, such as adjacent rotating sprockets, pulleys, shafts and the like, being well-known on combines generally, it is considered unnecessary to describe them further.

As seen in Figs. and 6, bracket I20a includes side sections I11 and I18 engaged at their mid portions respectively with frame elements 65 and 21 and having upward extensions I19 as seen more particularly in Fig. 6, connected by a member I80 bridging the space between members I11 and I18 and forming the anchoring means for above mentioned nut I2I. Members I11 and I18 are securely anchored to members 65 and 21 as by bolts I8I'--I8I. Members I11 and I18 also have downwardly extending portions as I82 in which are journaled above mentioned trunnion I31 and bearing or trunnion I56. In this manner, reverser I36 is pivotally supported so that it may remain in line with shaft I38 in spite of the arcuate movement of pin 56. Reverser I36 may be controlled from a control rod I83 which may be extended to a convenient point for actuation by the operator, rod I83 being suitably pivoted to a lever I84 fixed with a shaft I85 journaled in-bearings as I86 carried for example. on brace 21 and other appropriate parts of the machine. Shaft I85 carries a lever I81 to which is pivoted a link I88, pivotally connected as by a pin I89 with above mentioned rod I65. Fore and aft movement of rod I83 will.

accordingly cause, through shaft I85, levers I84 and I81 and link I88, shifting of clutch I59 to raise or lower harvester portion 3I as above described without other exertion on the part of the operator.

Limit control mechanism I48 comprises a shifter rod I90 pivotally connected to eyebolt I48 or otherwise suitably connected for reciprocation with portion I45. Rod I90 extends slidably through a sleeve I9I fixed inany suitable manner, as by welding, with or comprising part of a link I92 pivotally engaged with lever I81. Collars or other suitable stop means I93 and I94 are fixed on rod I90 and so located as to shift sleeve HI and link I92 so as to return lever I81 to the neutral position shown. If operation of shaft I38 continues, to the point of engagement of either collar with sleeve I9I, clutch I59 will be shifted by movement of link I92, lever I81 and link I88,

and the lead of screw I38 and the direction of rotation of shaft I55 are so chosen that the resulting movement of clutch I59 will be away from the gear with which it is. engaged.

For example, with the structure shown, if a right hand thread were used on screw shaft I38, counter-clockwise rotation would be required in gear I54, as seen in Figs. 8 and 9, whereas, if clockwise rotation only is available for gear I54, a "left hand thread will be necessary on screw shaft I38.

Another major element requiring to be substantially supported is the cylinder and accordingly the means for mounting the cylinder shaft is included as part of the general framing of the combine. As seen in Fig. 11, the cylinder shaft I95 is carried in bearings generally designated as I96 and I91, the details of the cylinder forming no part of the present invention, the shaft only being disclosed. The bearings I96 and I91 and their mountings being substantially identical,

bearing I91 only will be described.

As seen in Fig. 10, braces I98 and I99, conveniently comprising angle irons are suitably fixed as by welding, riveting, or the like, with sill 26 of body portion I, and extend upwardly along the wall thereof, one flange I98a of brace I98 being disposed flat against said wall and the other flange I98b extending outwardly. Brace I 99 is similarly constituted, a flange I99a being disposed against body portion I and a flange I99b extending outwardly so that a channel 200 is formed between the braces I98 and I99. A block 20I is placed in channel 200 and carries a bearing unit generally designated as 202 which may be of any suitable type, forming no part of the present invention. Jack bolts 203 and 204 extend through the outwardly disposed flange 205 of sill 26, and may be locked therein as by nuts 206206. The bolts may b flattened if desired as at 201 and other bolts 208208 extend through the flattened portions and through outwardly directed flanges I98b and I991) and through block 20I,

. bolts 208 including heads 209-409, and being arranged for clamping jack bolts 203 and 204, flanges I98b and I99b and block 20I rigidly together as by means of nuts 209a209a, which in turn may be secured as by lock nuts 209b-209b. In this manner, block 20I and bearing 202 are carried in an extremely stable and substantially rigid manner directly from sill 26..

It is desirable to locate cylinder shaft I- quite accurately with relation to internal parts of the threshing mechanism, not shown and forming no part of the present invention. Slots vas 2I0 are therefore formed in flanges I98b and I991; for the accommodation of bolts 208208,

whereas said bolts are relatively closely fitted in jack bolts 203 and 204 and block 20I. By proper manipulation of nuts 206206, while clamping nuts 209a and 20% are loosened, block 20I may accordingly be very accurately raised or lowered in channel 200 to obtain the desired adjustment of shaft I95. When such adjustment is secured, nuts 206206 and 209a and 2091: may be tightened, whereupon flanges I98b and I99!) and bolts 203 and,204 will be rigidly clamped together, and the block and bearing very strongly supported by braces I98 and I99 and bolts 203 and 204.

To facilitate this adjustment it is desirable, althrough not imperative, that bearing units as 202 be of a type permitting substantial misalignment, many of which are well known.

The operation of the various phases of the invention is thought to be clear from the foregoing description, it being noted that the framework, particularly as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2,

is so constituted as to carry the load of the it and in preventing distortion or sagging. The

means for so supporting the harvester constitutes a truss below the axle which tends to resolve the weight of the harvester, movably supported at the front of th machine, into an upward thrust at the rear of the machine to put the whole organization substantially in balance.

This means also allows the harvester portion to "float over any obstruction inadvertently encountered without damage to the harvester or its supporting mechanism, and also provides a power actuated lifting or adjusting means for adjusting the harvester to the desired height supporting the combine is so disposed that it may yield torsionally to cushion the shocks transmit- .ted to the structure by its passage over the ground, and the axle may be readily shortened substantially for narrowing the machine for transportation on the highway.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

against fore and aft oscillation under the weight of grain in said bin.

4. In a harvesting machine, the combination of an axle, a grain bin carrying frame supported at one end of the axle, a grain bin on the bin carrying frame and opposed diagonal braces ex- 1. In a combination harvester thresher having I an axle, a thresher housing carried on the axle,

a draw bar and bin carrying frame connected with the axle at one end thereof, diagonal bracing means extending from the opposite end of said axle rearwardly to said thresher housing, diagonal bracing means extending rearwardly from said drawbar and bin carrying frame rearwardly to said thresher housing, and bracing means connecting said rearwardly extending diagonal bracing means in the region. of their'connection to said thresher housing for bracing the end of said axle remote from said drawbar and bin carrying frame against rearward ground reactions without imposing such reactions directly upon said thresher housing.

2.. In a combination harvester thresher having an axle, a thresher housing carried on the axle, a drawbar and bin carrying frame connected with the axle at one end thereof, diagonal bracing means extending from the opposite end of said axle rearwardly to said thresher housing, and connections from said diagonal bracing means past said thresher housing and diagonally forward to said drawbar and bin carrying frame.

3. In a harvesting machine, a ground engaging el ment, an upwardly extending bin carrying tending from the bin carrying frame to spaced points on the axle, one of'said braces being in compression and the other in tension for steadying the bin carrying frame and preventing swaying thereof relatively to the axle under the load of grain in said bin.

5. In a harvesting machine, the combination of an axle, a grain'bin carrying frame supported at one end of the axle, a thresher housing carried on the axle intermediate the bin carrying frame and 'the opposite end of the axle, a bin carried on the bin carrying frame and means for steadying the bin carrying frame against swaying in the direction of said axle under the load of grain in said bin, including opposed braces for the bin carrying frame, one of said braces extending from said frame past said thresher housing to said axle and the other brace extending diagonally from said frame to said axle on the same side of said thresher housing as said bin carrying frame.

frame carried by the ground engaging element,-

a grain bin on the frame, a drawbar connected with the frame at the lower portion thereof, and a brace extending from the upper portion of said frame forwardly and downwardly and engaged with the drawbar for strengthening the frame 6. In a harvesting machine, the combination of an axle, a grain bin carrying frame supported at one end of the axle, a thresher housing carried on the axle intermediate the bincarrying frame and the opposite end of the axle, a bin carried on the bin carrying frame and a brace for steadying the bin carrying frame against swaying in the direction of said axle under the load of grain in said bin, said brace extending past said thresher housing and being connected with said axle at a point spaced from said thresher housing.

'7. In a combination harvester thresher having an axle, a. thresher housing carried on the axle, a draw bar and bin carrying frame connected with the axle at one end thereof, diagonal bracing means extending from the opposite end of NORMAN R. KRAUSE. 

